30 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Well strange you say that...I went to see a doctor today in Australia for a blood test & prostate check

He was a newish young indian guy who seemed a bit nervous doing my prostate check.

Why didn't you ask for a female doctor?

42 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Why didn't you ask for a female doctor?

You could also recommend this one...............

11 hours ago, Hummin said:

Why on Earth would anyone live in Pattaya for 15k a month

Yes me and my wife can live on very little on hour farm, especially now we also got solar power, but in a city as single?

Who wants to punish himself that bad?

You can definitely do it and it wouldn't be too hard. I'm sure you have the visa issues figured out. Get all your health issues resolved if you have any before coming here and I assume you can return to Australia if a serious medical issue came up while in Thailand. A little risky but you only live once. The eye candy in Pattaya is nothing like it was 20 years ago so that should make it easier to refrain from impulse spending :)

Do you have savings to purchase a condo?

The OP has made no allowance for a health crisis, such as illness or accident.

I have a friend who, out of nowhere, lost all feeling in his legs. The unsuccesful operation to restore mobility cost 500,000 baht.

That blows a fair size hole in a 15,000 /month budget.

9 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

The OP has made no allowance for a health crisis, such as illness or accident.

I have a friend who, out of nowhere, lost all feeling in his legs. The unsuccesful operation to restore mobility cost 500,000 baht.

That blows a fair size hole in a 15,000 /month budget.

That was a given :) We aren't him and have budgeted and insured for health care. I can understand why he is willing to take the risk. He can always return to Australia broke and live off his pension. Maybe even return to get health care would be a possibility.

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

I think you quoted wrong guy

i did sorry, thanks!

16 minutes ago, atpeace said:

You can definitely do it and it wouldn't be too hard. I'm sure you have the visa issues figured out. Get all your health issues resolved if you have any before coming here and I assume you can return to Australia if a serious medical issue came up while in Thailand. A little risky but you only live once. The eye candy in Pattaya is nothing like it was 20 years ago so that should make it easier to refrain from impulse spending :)

Do you have savings to purchase a condo?

14 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

The OP has made no allowance for a health crisis, such as illness or accident.

I have a friend who, out of nowhere, lost all feeling in his legs. The unsuccesful operation to restore mobility cost 500,000 baht.

That blows a fair size hole in a 15,000 /month budget.

I would say after safety money, insurance, some travelling expenses, etc was put aside, you can live ok for 30k and up if you cooking mostly yourself and have some hobby and social activities going for you.

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

I would say after safety money, insurance, some travelling expenses, etc was put aside, you can live ok for 30k and up if you cooking mostly yourself and have some hobby and social activities going for you.

I live on an average of 60 K/month.

I could probably live on 30 K if I gave up my Thai GF, golf, and eating out 50% of the time.

5 hours ago, Lacessit said:

The OP has made no allowance for a health crisis, such as illness or accident.

I have a friend who, out of nowhere, lost all feeling in his legs. The unsuccesful operation to restore mobility cost 500,000 baht.

That blows a fair size hole in a 15,000 /month budget.

Excellent point , and this should be in the planning.

I'm hazard a guess, and yes I did use the word "hazard" in the sentence for no other reason than I wanted to

, but I "hazard" a guess that many expats fail at having adequate medical coverage and are forced to go back to their home country for this medical treatment eg cancer etc ,

5 hours ago, Lacessit said:

The OP has made no allowance for a health crisis, such as illness or accident.

I have a friend who, out of nowhere, lost all feeling in his legs. The unsuccesful operation to restore mobility cost 500,000 baht.

That blows a fair size hole in a 15,000 /month budget.

I didn't think I could walk up stairs now. What about super? You pay 30 %tax on early withdrawal. What about the health insurance, which is free for pensioners in Australia? What about 65 or 800.00? Baht per month? To have in your account? I live in OZ, have my own place, I am a pensioner I don't pay any rent. (My wife has her own)place he is dreaming.

2 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

hours ago, Lacessit said:

The OP has made no allowance for a health crisis, such as illness or accident.

I have a friend who, out of nowhere, lost all feeling in his legs. The unsuccesful operation to restore mobility cost 500,000 baht.

That blows a fair size hole in a 15,000 /month budget.

Excellent point , and this should be in the planning.

I'm hazard a guess, and yes I did use the word "hazard" in the sentence for no other reason than I wanted to

, but I "hazard" a guess that many expats fail at having adequate medical coverage and are forced to go back to their home country for this medical treatment eg cancer etc ,

Just keep your Australian residency active then if you have medical issues returning back to Oz for repairs

3 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Just keep your Australian residency active then if you have medical issues returning back to Oz for repairs

But I would rent my Sydney apartment out so that may be a challenge

5 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

But I would rent my Sydney apartment out so that may be a challenge

Depending on the severity of your illness, you may be able to plan around when your tenancy agreement ends, then fly back home, occupying your apartment

On 4/1/2026 at 6:18 AM, georgegeorgia said:

Once I buy my condo in Pattaya I can easily survive on 15,000 baht a month

Is your "survival" so important?

I know some OZ Pensioners. None have the 800k for a Visa, all pay an agent. None have health insurance, too expensive and hard to get as you age (2 are 75+ with pre existing) There is no guarantee that any health issue will not stop you flying back home.

Overseas OZ Pensioners don't get any pension increases in Thailand, but do in the Philippines.

News Flash: Australian age pension is over 53000 baht per month because I have elected to have Centrelink pay my pension into my BKK bank account on a monthly basis using their generous exchange rate which, for April, is 23.55 baht

On 4/1/2026 at 6:18 AM, georgegeorgia said:

Once I buy my condo in Pattaya I can easily survive on 15,000 baht a month

Please tell me why if your older than say pension age 67 , why you can't survive on the ( Australian,) pension income of 45,000 a month about $2000 AUD

I'm talking about owning your condo though whether that be a 21cm room in the flybird or a lavish condo overlooking the beach, yes it maybe harder for those paying rent

I just can't understand men who are 67 or older forced to ho back to the UK or Australia because they can't afford to live on their old age pension , especially if it's 45,000 baht or higher

Granted , I probably won't be eligible for the old age pension in Australia because I haven't touched my superannuation ( retirement funds) but I can still draw out $2000 AUD ( 45k) a month and live on it from my super fund

Unlike the UK, in Australia , if you worked hard all your life and saved you aren't eligible for the old age pension, so retire early they say and spend it before 67yo

But anyway the point I'm making is what the hell is going on when I see YouTube videos of 70yo Australian men crying because they can't live on their old age Australian pension ?

Ok understood the UK pensioners are different , apparently they don't get pension risen if they leave the country but you aussie guys ,if you can live in Australia on 45,000 baht a month you can live in Pattaya surely!!

We need a charity service with volunteer financial counsellors to help these men like we do in the UK and Australia

This could be one of my pet projects when I move there to start a financial counselling volunteer service to help pensioners

What the hell is happening to your money especially if you already own your own condo so there's no rent ?

Do you really need to go to sports bars everyday ?

Too much pussy.

20 minutes ago, biggles45 said:

I know some OZ Pensioners. None have the 800k for a Visa, all pay an agent. None have health insurance, too expensive and hard to get as you age (2 are 75+ with pre existing) There is no guarantee that any health issue will not stop you flying back home.

Overseas OZ Pensioners don't get any pension increases in Thailand, but do in the Philippines.

Incorrect

Your mixing it about UK pensioners don't get increases in Thailand,

There is nothing in Australian Law that says discrimination against Aussie pensioners in Thailand .

But where they do discrimination is when you have to be a resident of Australia 2 years before you apply for age pension

16 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Well strange you say that...I went to see a doctor today in Australia for a blood test & prostate check

He was a newish young indian guy who seemed a bit nervous doing my prostate check.

Did he do it with both hands on your shoulder? Be careful

On 4/1/2026 at 7:44 AM, Hummin said:

Why on Earth would anyone live in Pattaya for 15k a month

The topic starter used the correct wording: survive on 15k.

survive

live

life

Three different categories.

Of course one could survive on 15k as many Thais have to.

But as you say: why would an expat want to?

19 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

The topic starter used the correct wording: survive on 15k.

survive

live

life

Three different categories.

Of course one could survive on 15k as many Thais have to.

But as you say: why would an expat want to?

Well why not?

What's the difference with a pensioner living in Australia on the same amount?

Wouldn't he be better off in Thailand?

Even living in the flybird condominium would be far better for a Australian pensioner than living in some of these crime ridden Australian country towns

Budgeting 101 apparently doesn’t apply to many.

On 4/1/2026 at 7:44 AM, Hummin said:

Why on Earth would anyone live in Pattaya for 15k a month

Yes me and my wife can live on very little on hour farm, especially now we also got solar power, but in a city as single?

Who wants to punish himself that bad?

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Even for a major sex monger that's a bit over the top.

Once back in the time, yes, but for someone passed middle age?

It becomes a forced negative habit

6 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

The topic starter used the correct wording: survive on 15k.

survive

live

life

Three different categories.

Of course one could survive on 15k as many Thais have to.

But as you say: why would an expat want to?

Survive means also thrive physically and mentally, but I'm not going to argue with you, since it is a definition question. Seems like an very touchy theme for many, when it comes to life quality.

I have seen those who spend 100k or more on rent every month, who are completely miserable compared to a few other who pays less rent in a year included electric and water.

On 4/1/2026 at 9:26 AM, SAFETY FIRST said:

I heard you're a good looking man, why don't you find yourself a beautiful Thai wife, a rich woman, a lady with lots of money 💲💲💲

Why don't you?

20 hours ago, Hummin said:

I would say after safety money, insurance, some travelling expenses, etc was put aside, you can live ok for 30k and up if you cooking mostly yourself and have some hobby and social activities going for you.

An entirely random figure based on arbitrary hobbies and social activities....and whether you need to pay for your company or not.

In other words, yourself.

15 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

but I "hazard" a guess that many expats fail at having adequate medical coverage and are forced to go back to their home country for this medical treatment eg cancer etc ,

Assuming they have been approved fit to fly.

7 hours ago, biggles45 said:

I know some OZ Pensioners. None have the 800k for a Visa, all pay an agent. None have health insurance, too expensive and hard to get as you age (2 are 75+ with pre existing) There is no guarantee that any health issue will not stop you flying back home.

Overseas OZ Pensioners don't get any pension increases in Thailand, but do in the Philippines.

BS. I get the 6-monthly COL increases.

On 4/1/2026 at 2:44 AM, Hummin said:

Why on Earth would anyone live in Pattaya for 15k a month

Yes me and my wife can live on very little on hour farm, especially now we also got solar power, but in a city as single?

Who wants to punish himself that bad?

What has solar power to do with anything?? 😊 My electricity bill, living in a beach resort, seldom tops 600 baht.

On 3/31/2026 at 7:18 PM, georgegeorgia said:

Once I buy my condo in Pattaya

You can't afford a condo.